DOE Steps Up Investments into Electric Generation Technology Research

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) over the previous two weeks has made a string of funding bulletins, together with almost a half-billion of latest funding in power-related initiatives. The funding backs developments in cybersecurity, superior nuclear, photo voltaic, bioenergy, gasoline cells, geothermal, and power storage.

$25 Million for Cybersecurity.On April 16, the DOE’s Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability’s Cybersecurity for Energy Delivery Systems program issued a $25 million funding alternative announcement (FOA),in search of functions to conduct analysis, growth, and demonstration (RD&D) for progressive approaches to advance cyber-resilient power supply methods.

The venture hones in on 5 areas: redesign of cyber-resilient structure for the facility and oil and pure fuel (ONG) subsectors; cybersecurity for the ONG setting; cybersecure communications; cybersecure cloud-based applied sciences within the operation expertise setting; and progressive applied sciences that improve cybersecurity within the power sector. Applications are due by June 18, 2018.

$105 Million for Solar Technology. On April 17, the DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office mentioned it could fund about 70 tasks to advance each photo voltaic PV and concentrating photo voltaic thermal energy (CSP) applied sciences and assist them safe facilitated integration into the grid. “These analysis tasks will deal with the earliest phases of expertise growth, allow vital enhancements to the present fleet of photo voltaic applied sciences, and preserve U.S. management in photo voltaic power.” One of the 4 subjects backs the DOE’s efforts to decrease the levelized value of electrical energy (LCOE) to $zero.03/kWh from utility-scale methods by 2030, which is half the price of utility-scale photo voltaic in the present day. Another focuses on bettering and increasing the photo voltaic business by way of workforce initiatives, aiming to extend the variety of veterans and individuals within the photo voltaic business.

$39 Million for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies. Also on April 17, the DOE introduced as much as $39 million in funding to help early stage analysis and growth of “progressive” hydrogen and gasoline cell applied sciences. Anticipated subjects embrace ElectroCat; H2@Scale, which includes built-in power manufacturing and hydrogen fueling power; and progressive gasoline cell membranes and reversible and liquid gasoline cell parts. Applications are due by June 12, 2018.

$20 Million for Solar System Electronics.On April 18, the DOE introduced as much as $20 million in funding for 9 tasks to advance early-stage solar energy electronics applied sciences. “As the important hyperlink between PV arrays and the electrical grid, advances in energy electronics may also assist grid operators quickly detect and reply to issues, defend in opposition to bodily and cyber vulnerabilities, and allow shoppers to handle electrical energy use. Advanced solar energy electronics may also assist ship energy safely, combine PV with storage controls, and guarantee energy reliability,” the DOE mentioned. The awards go to Flex Power Control, which is predicated in Encino, California; and universities in Georgia, North Carolina, Arkansas, Maryland, Texas, Washington, and Virginia. Oak Ridge, a nationwide laboratory in Tennessee, can also be a recipient.

$14.5 Million for Geothermal Drilling. On April 23, the DOE’s Efficient Drilling for Geothermal Energy (EDGE) introduced $14.5 million to advance geothermal drilling, and increase the U.S. geothermal fleet, which is presently about three.eight GW. The DOE famous an estimated potential of 100 GW or extra exists in undiscovered hydrothermal and enhanced geothermal methods, however technological innovation is important to transform them economically into energy. Concept papers are due by May 31, 2018.

$60 Million for Advanced Nuclear Technology.One day after Energy Secretary Rick Perry signed statements of intent with François Jacq, chairman of…

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